ZitterWeBeGang

ZitterBeWeGang by J.B. Pravda

Music innovation had been in decline for years, maybe decades when I
first encountered the band; their niche was, and still is,
indescribable, no small contributor to their anti-commercial
success.

"We amplify probability, that's all" had been the refrain of their
founder, QuantuMan; both his adopted name and reputed filial connection
to Max Planck, original gatekeeper of quantum mechanics over a century
ago combined to intimidate the media.

I was now the latest sacrifice offered up on their altar, having been
assigned to interview them on the release of a new album, 'Anomie',
which had been snapped up by a public fascinated by something seemingly
new in music history: random rhythm and chaotic dreamlike harmonies
which, amazingly, sounded great.

"Poetic intuition will get us deeper in our apprehension of the
physical universe" was Quantu's reply to my obviously loaded rehearsed
trick question----'So, tell me, what is your philosophy, guys?'

"Didn't Max Planck say something like that?" was my rejoinder.

"Exactly like that" offered drummer Kinesis.

"Are all of you of German heritage?" I asked.

"All except me, the lyrics guy" said DayCart, he named the album.

"Who came up with the band's name?" was my obvious next query.

"It's from a glossary in an old physics textbook that used to belong to
Einstein; we bought it at an auction in Munich during our 'Anonymous
Tour', just opened it up and there it was" the remaining member,
Mobius, stated. "Means 'trembling movement' or close to that" he
continued.

"If you could, please tell me, us, your composing secret or technique?"
I delved, clumsily. What I witnessed in reply has changed my life; here
it is, as best I can recall:

"Everything is just energy, man, in different forms; all the great
composers before knew not to trust their 'radar'---ears, eyes, even
taste; no, your subconscious is a sensitive transducer, just picking up
what's already there, floating around in the 'space' full of vibrating
energy, self-organized, we just grab it and put it in sound form; the
energized 'sound' doesn't stop at your skull or your body, goes right
through and in" they all replied successively, each finishing the
partial statement for the preceding member. What was most remarkable,
however, was that different members actually had spoken in the voice of
another!

"Very interesting, Mr. Argyle, truly; tell us, have you had any other
such dreamlike symptoms or experiences recently?" asked Dr.
Schmeeslov.

"Just when I do get to sleep, I toss, move constantly, and, well,
tremble, you can see it on the video tape" I informed the medical
panel.

"Drs., I'm going to recommend we increase the dosage on his
Anomiezetone; anything else?" offered the attending physician.

That's when I awoke, when I always awaken; this time, the music was
still playing, though, the CD player locked on 'Repeat' for the Anomie
disk.

Trembling, I reached for the bedside lamp, and decided to take another
Quantazine, so I would be well-rested for my interview with Dr. Planck,
the only one who could arrange my discharge.